Combined washing, drying, scrubbing and scraping implement

ABSTRACT

A cleaning article which includes a washing member, such as a sponge, having a recess in one peripheral edge thereof and with a cover member having an edge portion secured in the recess, the cover member being adapted to be wrapped around the washing member or to be disposed in outwardly extending relation thereto, as desired.

United States Patent Michael Sirnec 1 Park Estates, Granville, Ill. 61326 [21] Appl. No. 21,943

[22] Filed Mar. 23, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] COMBINED WASHING, DRYING, SCRUBBING AND SCRAPING IMPLEMENT 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

52 U.S. c1 15/118, 15/209 R, 15/244 B [51] lnt.Cl ..A47l 13/16, A471 17/08 [50] Field ol'S'earch 15/114,

115,118,121,lll,ll7,23l,244B,244C,222; 51/391-393,405,407;40l/23,24, 201; 161/159;

24/265 R, 265 BE [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,107,636 2/1938 Kingman..... 15/244CUX 2,249,912 7/1941 Oxley 15/118X 2,804,729 9/1957 DahlSllOlTl 51/391x 2,899,697 8 1959 VonKohornetal. 401/201x 3,083,392 4/1963 Sewell 15/118 3,355,844 12/1967 AbleretaL. 15/118X 3,406,420 10 1968 Siemund 15/121 3,411,173 11/1968 Berringtonetal. 15/231 3,453,677 7/1969 c6116: 15/231x 2,395,094 2/1946 BOOhaI'in. 15/222x 3,024,486 3/1962 Naugle 15/222 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,130,940 10/1956 France 15/113 Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum Attorney-Johnston, Root, O'Keeffe, Keil, Thompson &

Shurtleff ABSTRACT: A cleaning article which includes a washing member, such as a sponge, having a recess in one peripheral edge thereof and with a cover member having an edge portion secured in the recess, the cover member being adapted to be wrapped around the washing member or to be disposed in outwardly extending relation thereto, as desired.

PAIENXEB me an.

INVENTOR. MICHAEL SIR/V50 COMBINED WASHING, DRYING, SCRUBBING AND SCRAPING IMPLEMENT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cleaning articles, and, more particularly, to cleaning articles which are particularly well adapted for washing, scrubbing and polishing articles to be cleaned.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel cleaning article.

Another object is to afford a novel cleaning article embodying both a washing member and a cover member constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner.

Cleaning articles embodying washing members and cover members have been heretofore known in the art. However, such cleaning articles which have been heretofore known in the art have commonly had several inherent disadvantages, such as, for example, being difficult and expensive to manufacture; not being practical in construction or operation; being difficult to thoroughly clean; being subject to excessive wear and deterioration; or having the parts thereof so constituted and arranged that, as a practical matter, it was difficult to separately use the individual parts thereof, and the like. It is an important object of the present invention to overcome such disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel cleaning article which embodies a washing member and a cover member which are connected together in a novel and expeditious manner.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to afford such a cleaning article wherein an edge portion of the cover member is mounted in and firmly secured to the washing member.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel unitary cleaning article which embodies a washing member and a cover member, wherein the cover member embodies a polishing or drying member and a scrubbing member, with the three members so constituted and arranged that the polishing member and scrubbing member may be simultaneously wrapped around the washing member to afford a substantially unitary pad structure, or, if desired, the scrubbing member and polishing member may be disposed in outwardly extending relation to the washing member for individual use of any one, or all, of the three members.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to afford a novel unitary cleaning article of the aforementioned type which also embodies a scraping member mounted on the washing member thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to afford a novel cleaning article embodying a washing member, a polishing member and a scrubbing member, which is practical and efficient in operation and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention affords a cleaning article which embodies a washing member, such as a sponge, which, if desired,

may have a scraping member mounted on one face thereof, and with a cover member having one edge portion mounted in the washing member, the cover member preferably embodying two sheets of material such as chamois and nylon mesh, respectively, and having a portion projecting outwardly from the washing member and adapted to be moved between wrapped and unwrapped relation to the washing member for drying, polishing and scrubbing purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of cleaning article embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 in FIG. I, and with the parts disposed in different positions;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modified form of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another modified form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS SHOWN HEREIN A cleaning article 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The cleaning article 1 embodies, in general, a washing member 2 and a cover member 3. In the preferred form of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 1, the washing member 2 is in the form of a substantially rectangular-shaped block or pad, embodying two rectangular-shaped portions 4 and 5, each having two oppositely disposed side faces 6 and 7 and two side edge faces 8 and 9 disposed between the two opposite ends 10 and 11 of the washing member 4. The portions 4 and 5 are preferably of equal size, and are disposed in vertically aligned, stacked relation to each other, with the faces 7 and 6 of the portions 4 and 5, respectively, adhesively secured together in juxtaposition to each other. The portions 4 and 5 may be of any suitable resilient material, such as, for example, natural sponge, but preferably are made of synthetic sponge material, such as the cellulose acetate sponge material commonly available on the market, and they may be secured together by any suitable adhesive, such as, for example, a suitable flexabilized epoxy resin or a suitable water-insoluble acrylic resin, or the like.

The cover member 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 embodies two elongated, equal-sized sheets of material 12 and 13 disposed in juxtaposition to each other. One end portion 14 of each of the sheets 12 and 13 are disposed in a recess 15 formed in the washing member 2 along the junction 16 between the faces 7 and 6 of the portions 4 and 5, respectively, and are secured to the adjacent portions of the washing member 2 by the aforementioned adhesive. In the washing member 2, the recess 15 preferably is formed merely by the compression of the adjacent portions of portions 4 and 5 of the washing member 2 caused by the insertion of the end portions 14 of the sheets 12 and 13 therebetween prior to securing together the portions 4 and 5. The recess 15 opens outwardly through the side edge face 17 of the peripheral edge portion of the washing member 2 afforded by the vertically aligned side edge faces 9 of the portions 4 and 5, and preferably extends along the face 17 throughout the entire length of the washing member 2.

In the cover 3, the sheet 13 affords a drying or polishing member. It may be made of any suitable material, but, preferably, is made of natural chamois material or one of the synthetic chamois materials made of nonwoven rayon material, or the like, readily available on the market, which, as is well known in the art, constitute resilient, moisture-absorbent materials. Similarly, the sheet 12 of the cover member 3 affords a scrubbing member It may be made of any suitable material, but, preferably, it is made of a material which affords a mild abrasive action, such as, for example, nylon mesh,

which is readily available on the market. With the scrubbing member 12 made of material such as nylon mesh, it may be readily used on Windshields, enameled pots, Teflon-coated skillets and the like, without causing scratching thereof.

In addition to the portion 14, each of the sheets 12 and 13 embodies another portion 18, which is preferably the major portion thereof, and which projects outwardly from the side edge face 17 of the washing member 2. The portions 18 of the sheets 12 and 13 may be disposed in various positions relative to the washing member 2, such as, for example, in outwardly projecting relation thereto, as shown in FIG. 2, or in wrapped around relation thereto, as shown in FIG. 1. The portions 18 of the sheets 12 and 13 may be wrapped around the washing member 2 in the direction shown in FIG. 1, to thereby dispose the scrubbing member 12 on the outside of the polishing member 13, or they may be wrapped in the opposite direction, not shown, to thereby dispose the polishing member 13 on the outside of the washing member 12. ln addition, if desired, either of the sheets 12 or 13 may be individually wrapped around the washing member 2, with the other sheet 13 or 12 left in outwardly projecting relation to the washing member 2.

Preferably, as shown in FIG, 1, the sheets 12 and 13 are of such length that they may be wrapped completely around the washing member 2. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this is merely by way of illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and not by way of limitation, and, if desired, the sheets 12 and 13 may be of such length that they may be wrapped only partially around the washing member 2 without departing from the purview of the broader aspects of the present invention.

The cleaning article 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also embodies a scraping member or abrading member 20 mounted on and adhesively secured to side edge face 21 of the washing member 2 afforded by the vertically aligned side edge faces 8 of the portions 4 and 5. The scraping member 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, polyurethane foam, readily available on the market, and is preferably disposed on the side edge face 21 of the washing member 2 in completely covering relation thereto.

With the cleaning article I constructed in the manner disclosed herein, it will be seen that it affords a single, highly practical cleaning article which may be used for washing purposes, scraping purposes, scrubbing purposes and drying or polishing purposes, and the parts thereof may be disposed in various different positions for these purposes, depending on the problem presented for the various operations.

Thus, for example, for the usual washing operation, such as, for example, in the common dishwashing operations, or in the usual washing of an automobile, or the like, the sheets 12 and 13 may be disposed in outwardly extending relation to the washing member 2 so as to fully expose the latter for the washing operation; or the sheets 12 and 13 could be disposed in such position, not shown, that they merely extend across one side face of the washing member 2, thus leaving the other side face thereof available for the washing operation.

Also, it will be seen that when it is desired to perform a scraping operation on a hard-to-clean article, such as, for example, a barbeque grill or an iron frying pan, or the like, the sheets 12 and 13 may be disposed in extended position relative to the washing member 2, to thus expose the scraping member 20 for such operation. It will also be observed in connection with the latter operation that, if desired, the washing member 2 may be soaked with detergent or soapy water, or the like, so that a readily available supply of a suitable cleaning liquid is afforded for wetting the scraping member 20 during the scraping operation.

ln addition, it will be seen that the sheets 12 and 13 may be disposed in wrapped relation to the washing member 2 with the sheet 12 disposed on the outside, as shown in FIG. 1, to thereby afford a padded scrubbing member, it being remembered that the sheet 12, which in this position is disposed on the outside, is made of a suitable material, such as the aforementioned nylon mesh, or the like, andaffords an effective scrubbing member; or the sheets 12 and 13 may be wrapped around the washing member 2 in the reverse direction, not shown, to thereby dispose the sheet 13 on the outside and thus afford a padded drying or polishing member, the sheet 12 being made of a suitable drying or polishing material, such as, for example, the aforementioned natural or synthetic chamois, or the like.

ln addition, either one of the sheets 12 or 13 may be individually wrapped around the washing member 2. This is of particular importance with respect io the scrubbing member 12 because, with this member wrapped around the washing member 2 and with the sheet 13 left projecting outwardly therefrom, a scrubbing or abrading pad is afforded wherein the central portion of the pad, afforded by the washing member 2, may, if desired, be saturated with clear water or with a suitable cleaning liquid, such as a suitable detergent, or the like, with the liquid being readily available for direct application to the scrubbing member 12 during a scrubbing operation therewith. Also, with the scrubbing member 12 thus disposed with respect to the washing member 2, the hands or fingers of the person performing the scrubbing operation are protected against abrasive contact with the article being scrubbed.

Also, it will be seen that with the cleaning article 1 constructed in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, if desired, the sheets 12 and 13 may be disposed in outwardly projecting relation to the washing member 2, so as to facilitate the use thereof during particular operations, and also, for the purpose of individually washing out the washing member 2 and the scrubbing and polishing members 12 and 13, respectively, Thus, for example, in the cleaning or drying of a comer of a pan, or the like, the scrubbing member 12 or the polishing member 13 can be thus disposed relative to the washing member 2 and applied directly to such a corner by the fingers of the operator or by a suitable blunt instrument, or the like. Similarly, with the members 2, 12 and 13 disposed in extended relation to each other, each may be individually washed out and wrung dry, if desired.

In P16. 3, a cleaning article 1 which comprises a modified form of the present invention is shown, and parts thereof which are identical to parts shown in H68. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals and parts which are similar to but have been substituted for parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals with the sufiix a added thereto.

Like the cleaning article 1 shown in H03. 1 and 2, the cleaning article la shown in FIG. 3 embodies a washing member 2a and a cover member 3, the cover member 3 cmbodying a scrubbing member 12 and a polishing or drying member 13.

Unlike the cleaning article 1, the washing member 2a of the cleaning article 10 comprises a single unitary member, and the recess 15a, instead of being formed by the junction between two portions of the washing member as in the cleaning article 1, is physically formed in the washing member 20 by a suitable molding or cutting operation, or the like. The recess 15a opens outwardly through the side edge face 17a of the washing member 2a and preferably extends the full length of the washing member 2a. The edge portions 14 of the sheets 12 and 13 in the cleaning article In may be adhesively secured in the recess 15a in the same manner as the sheets 12 and 13 are secured in the recess 15 in the cleaning article 1.

No scraping member, such as the scraping member 20 in the cleaning article 1, is embodied in the cleaning article la shown in FIG. 3, although, as will be appreciated, such a cleaning member could be mounted on'the body member 2a if such construction were desired. However, except for the scraping operation, the cleaning article 10 shown in the drawing may be used in the same manner and for the same operations as the cleaning article 1, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. t

In FIG. 4, another modified form of the present invention is shown, and parts which are the same as parts shown in FIGS. 1

and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and parts which are similar to but have been substituted for parts shown in H08. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals with the suffix b" added thereto.

ln FIG. 4 a cleaning article 1b is illustrated which is substantially identical in construction to that of the cleaning article la shown in FIG. 3, except that, in addition, stitching 22 is embodied therein. As in the cleaning article In, the cleaning article lb embodies a washing member 2b of unitary construction and having a recess b formed therein and opening outwardly through the side edge portion 17b thereof, the edge portions 14 of the sheets 12 and 13 of the cover member 3 being disposed in the recess 15b and preferably adhesively secured therein. In addition, stitching 22, which preferably is in the form of overcasting sewing extends longitudinally along the washing member 2b is closely adjacent, parallel relation to the side edge face 17b thereof, the stitching extending entirely through the washing member 2b and the edge portions 14 of the sheets 12 and 13, to thereby firmly secure them together. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, if desired, the adhesive securing of the cover 3 within the recess 15b may be eliminated in the cleaning article 1b, the stitching 22 being relied upon to secure the cover 3 in operative position relative to the washing member 2b. However, preferably, the stitching 22 is merely used as a supplementary securing means and the edge portions 14 of the sheets 12 and 13 are also adhesively secured to the washing member 2b, as previously mentioned.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel cleaning article.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel cleaning article which embodies a washing member, a scrubbing member, a drying or polishing member, and, if desired, a scraping member, constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner.

in addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel cleaning article which is practical and efficient in operation and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim: 1. A cleaning article comprising a. a porous, resilient washing member having 1. two oppositely disposed faces, and 2. a peripheral edge portion extending between said two faces, b. said washing member having a recess therein 1. disposed between said two faces and 2. opening outwardly through one side of said edge portion and c. a two-ply flexible cover sheet having 1. one edge portion mounted in said recess, and 2. another portion extending from said one edge portion in position to be selectively wrapped around said washing member in either of two directions in position to cover at least a portion of one of said faces, d. the plies of said other portion being separable from each other, e. one of said plies comprising a resilient, moisture absorbent polishing member sheet, and f. the other of said plies comprising a resilient, mildly abrasive scrubbing member sheet. 2. A cleaning article as defined in claim I, and in which a. said other of said plies comprises a mesh cloth. 3. A cleaning article as defined in claim 2, and in which a. said washing member comprises sponge material, b. said polishing member comprises chamois material, and c. said scrubbing member comprises nylon mesh material.

4. A cleanin article as defined in claim 14, and in which a. said one e ge portion is sewed to said washing member by stitching extending through the latter and clamping said washing member to opposite sides of said edge portion. 5. A cleaning article as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said one edge portion is adhesively secured to said washing member.

53 33 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,629,896 Dated m r 28 197;

Inventor(s) MICHAEL SIRNEC It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 31, "Fi s. 1 and 1" should be Figs. 1 and 2 Col. 6, line 33, "1 should be 1 Signed and sealed this 9th day of May 1972.

{SEALE Attest:

EDWARD MQFLEICHERJ'RQ ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Comissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. A cleaning article comprising a. a porous, resilient washing member having
 1. two oppositely disposed faces, and
 2. a peripheral edge portion extending between said two faces, b. said washing member having a recess therein
 1. disposed between said two faces and
 2. opening outwardly through one side of said edge portion and c. a two-ply flexible cover sheet having
 1. one edge portion mounted in said recess, and
 2. another portion extending from said one edge portion in position to be selectively wrapped around said washing member in either of two directions in position to cover at least a portion of one of said faces, d. the plies of said other portion being separable from each other, e. one of said plies comprising a resilient, moisture absorbent polishing member sheet, and f. the other of said plies comprising a resilient, mildly abrasive scrubbing member sheet.
 2. a peripheral edge portion extending between said two faces, b. said washing member having a recess therein
 2. opening outwardly through one side of said edge portion and c. a two-ply flexible cover sheet having
 2. another portion extending from said one edge portion in position to be selectively wrapped around said washing member in either of two directions in position to cover at least a portion of one of said faces, d. the plies of said other portion being separable from each other, e. one of said plies comprising a resilient, moisture absorbent polishing member sheet, and f. the other of said plies comprising a resilient, mildly abrasive scrubbing member sheet.
 2. A cleaning article as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said other of said plies comprises a mesh cloth.
 3. A cleaning article as defined in claim 2, and in which a. said washing member comprises sponge material, b. said polishing member comprises chamois material, and c. said scrubbing member comprises nylon mesh material.
 4. A cleaning article as defined in claim 14, and in which a. said one edge portion is sewed to said washing member by stitching extending through the latter and clamping said washing member to opposite sides of said edge portion.
 5. A cleaning article as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said one edge portion is adhesively secured to said washing member. 